Republicans join Democrats to challenge Trump’s Iran war power

The US House of Representatives has passed a resolution aimed at limiting President Donald Trump’s war powers in Iran, marking a rare bipartisan rebuke of the president’s handling of the conflict.

The measure passed on Wednesday in a 215-208 vote, with Republican lawmakers Thomas Massie, Brian Fitzpatrick, Tom Barrett and Warren Davidson joining Democrats in support.

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The resolution was introduced by New York Democrat Gregory Meeks, the ranking member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, amid concerns that the Trump administration exceeded its authority during military operations against Iran.

“I am thrilled that we’ve had the opportunity to have some members from the Republican side stand up,” Meeks told reporters after the vote.

“We’re going to continue to do our constitutional responsibilities, that’s what we’re doing.”

The measure still requires Senate approval but would not go to President Trump for signature because concurrent resolutions do not carry the force of law.

House Speaker Mike Johnson criticised the effort before the vote, warning it could damage ongoing negotiations linked to the Iran conflict.

“I think it is a very dangerous prospect to take away from the administration and the commander-in-chief right now the ability to negotiate,” Johnson told CNN.

The vote comes as inspectors general from the Pentagon, State Department and USAID launched a review into the legality of the US military campaign against Iran under the War Powers Act.